innocent until proven guilty

The phrase "innocent until proven guilty" is a fundamental principle of law that assumes a person is innocent of any crime until proven otherwise through a fair and impartial legal process. It emphasizes that the burden of proof lies with the accuser or prosecution, who must present sufficient evidence to convince a judge or jury beyond a reasonable doubt of the accused's guilt. Until such evidence is provided and a guilty verdict is reached, the accused is treated as innocent, enjoys various legal rights, and is protected from punishment or harm.